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30 September 2016

Hi everyone and welcome! A few weeks back Kay Halliwell-Sutton launched IndigoBlu's new Steampunkesque collection featuring a dedicated set of stamps, mixed media paper pad and stencils. After turning around the TV samples I got the germ of an idea that was going to require more time to complete (you know, one of those that sits in your head and refuses to go despite all the other deadlines you have to meet!) There was also added inspiration from a purchase of some stylish, tarnished cutlery at Retford's weekly vintage market and a discovery of small frames ideal for altering. So finally, letting my imagination take flight so to speak, I came up with this altered canvas...

You'll see the A4 canvas background has been stencilled with lots of cogs - Super Thick Slap It On is ideal for this as it dries raised and solid, so perfect for adding layers of paint (and abuse in the form of sandpaper!) I also added a rough layer of Fine Modelling Paste to the frame before sticking it firmly to the canvas. Many, many layers of IndigoBlu Matte and Metallic paints followed until I got the look I was happy with.

The central panel has a built up corrugated built up base showing glimpses of the deep base colours that underpin the paler and metallic layers on top. I also added a torn book page, altered with gesso, paint, heat embossed stamping and more of that cog stencilling. A little Rust alcohol ink across the canvas and frame helped to age it all and added lowlights to the spoon. That was wrapped with a combination of coloured burlap string and various wires to create a 'body', with the colours then echoed in the wings. Anyone who came along to the Make n Takes at Ally Pally will recognise the use of the Wild Butterflies stencil with Super Thick Slap It On and silver Luscious pigment powder. By using them on transparent modelling film I was able to add a mix of Raven Black IndigoBlu metallic paint and more of those Luscious pigment powders to get the perfect match of colours to the body binding on the reverse. To finish a scattering of old watch parts was used to enhance the design.

Thanks for joining me today. I hope you feel inspired to get creative and realise some of those arty ideas that have been on your mind. With the weekend fast approaching have a great one and take care of yourselves. Jenny xxx

28 September 2016

Hi everyone and welcome! Today it's all about circles for the latest Frilly and Funkie challenge. The amazing Sue Carrington is our host for this one and has chosen the theme 'Going Round in Circles!' Here's what she has to say about it; "Including circles in my projects is one of my favourite things to do, so for this challenge I want to see circles, lots of circles, not just one! Stencilled, stamped or even a circular project such as a wreath!"

At the end of the challenge the team will choose their top four picks. Our first place winner will be invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at Frilly and Funkie. Three additional talented participants will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and adheres to the challenge guidelines will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique!

I had great fun playing with my Distress Paints to create a splattered/layered background, building the colours from dark to light. You'll notice there are two layers to this canvas, with a Ken Oliver Mixed Media Art Board making up the central raised section. I knew as soon as Sue announced the theme of this challenge that Seth Apter's designs would be perfect. For those of us who were desperate to get our paws on them, Linda did a special order; if you're interested in these or any other products, you can contact her at customerservice@thefunkiejunkie.com. For this canvas I used the Spellbinders 'Robo Ring' die set with the Spellbinders 'Turnarounds 2' and Impression Obsession 'Solar System' stamp sets. You'll see the stamps were used on the background using the same paints and some Worn Lipstick to add contrast. The die cuts were layered up, touches of Distress Grit Paste added and painted with a combination of Tarnished Brass and Black Soot Distress Paint layered over the top.

Linda stocks the most fabulous brass embellishments in her store and I had fun picking a few to slot into and in between the circles. A few pearls were used too but needed that punch of colour to coordinate better. That's where the Caribbean Coast Enamel Accents came into play - they give a beautiful glossy coloured coat to the pearls and perfect little dots to accent the other brass embellishments. Finally I needed some words and these Big Chat ones spoke to me; alter the colour with Spun Sugar Distress Crayon and re-write a few of the letters for a quirker look.

So that's my contribution to the collection of fantastic 'Going Round in Circles!' creations from the Frilly and Funkie Design Team. Make sure you hop on over to see their fabulous makes, by which time I'm sure you'll be inspired to join in the fun and be in with a chance to win!

Thank you for joining me today. Whatever you're up to for the rest of the week have a good one and take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

17 September 2016

Hi everyone and welcome! It's my turn to host the latest Saturday Step by Step tutorial over at the Frilly and Funkie blog today. I've been having fun with the new Distress Collage Mediums and Crayons - here's a sneak peek...

As many of you will be aware the past couple of months have flown by in something of a flurry of activity and I realised I hadn't shared my beautiful gifts from the wonderful Anne Redfern (Redanne). Let's put that right now as I love them all! The three compartment tray has become a permanent home for my set of Distress Collage Mediums and I adore the gorgeous layered ATC (using a favourite IndigoBlu stamp set). How lucky was I!!! Thank you so much Anne for your beautiful gifts - I'll treasure them.

I'm on my travels again this weekend as part of the IndigoBlu team down at the Ally Pally craft show.
If you're attending it would be great to see you!

14 September 2016

Hi everyone and welcome! Today sees the Funkie side of the Design Team unveiling their projects for the latest Frilly and Funkie challenge. Pamellia Johnson is our fabulous host and has chosen the theme 'Things with Wings'. Here's what she has to say about it; "Create any vintage or shabby chic project with something that has wings. It can be butterflies, bees, dragonflies, whatever you can think of."

At the end of the challenge the team will choose their top four picks. Our first place winner will be invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at Frilly and Funkie. Three additional talented participants will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and adheres to the challenge guidelines will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique!

The idea for the background came first on this one; I love the way the busy lines added colour and drew the eye across the canvas. Originally the deep edges were painted but the on reflection I much preferred them when covered with more of the Dapper paper, particularly when the Evergreen Bough Distress Paint was blended on the edges. A paler coordinating paper from the same set was used to add the die cut Wildflowers before generous coats of Crazing and Vintage Collage Medium added an aged look.

Adding much needed focal points to the busy background was a challenge in itself. I settled on using the same papers and Tissue Tape to create panels on which to add stamped Wildflowers, blending Black Soot Distress Crayon around the edges to add shadows and a greater sense of depth to them. The metal elements fitted well alongside the Tiny Tattered Florals, with the largest nail lending itself perfectly to becoming the body of a dragonfly - I was inspired by a huge dragonfly that landed in our garden which had flecks of teal and rust on it's body and incredible transparent wings. They were replicated by stamping with the Evergreen Bough Distress Paint onto Clearly for Art modelling film. On a personal note, I added a much loved paint brush that had finally given up on me and a piece of nail that had to be removed from our car tyre during a family trip to France!

So that's my contribution to the collection of fantastic 'Things with Wings' creations from the Frilly and Funkie Design Team. Make sure you hop on over to see their fabulous makes, by which time I'm sure you'll be inspired to join in the fun and be in with a chance to win!

Thank you for joining me today and for those of you attending the show at Ally Pally this coming weekend I'll be there and hope to catch up with you. Whatever you're up to for the rest of the week have a good one and take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

2 September 2016

Hi everyone and welcome! Today sees the launch of the latest challenge at A Vintage Journey called 'Create within a Frame'. Our host for this one is the wonderful Julia and here's what she has in store for us; "For this month’s challenge we would like you to create something inside a frame. Whatever you use show us how you have incorporated a frame on your vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial or steampunk project. We can't wait to see all of your creative framing ideas!"

This month we are sponsored by Decoart who have a fabulous prize for a randomly drawn winner. And three Pinworthies will be offered a Guest appearance for later challenge, so there's plenty of reasons to join in.

My canvas for this challenge focused on the two key words in the title - frame and create - Seth Apter's fabulous die designs were perfect for creating interlocking frames and I embellished them with representations of some of the many hobbies/crafts we use to create art.

This canvas began with a few swipes of Texture Paste to obliterate the weave pattern and provide an uneven surface for the paint. A combination of IndigoBlu paints (listed at the end) were scraped over the top randomly in turn, with each layer dried to prevent blending. Then a light dry brushing of white gesso on top toned things down a little before I added a light wash of watery Hot Cocoa. I used Seth's idea of adding lots of die cut layers together to create dimension and depth, planning out the interlocking design before stamping with the same paints underneath them. A little Distress Grit Paste gave the surfaces the look of ageing rust and layers of Kingfisher Blue,Townhouse Teal, Vodka Martini and Hot Cocoa paint added that distinctive patina. Drips of alcohol ink and water created the rusted patterns.

The idea for representing various creative hobbies/arts came when I dropped an old, much loved paint brush by accident and it fell nicely between two of the frames. You'll see from the brush that it's seen better days and the initial reason for binding the top was because it had snapped. Again, taking an idea from Seth's blog I found that by wrapping layers of fuse wire and twine around the top and adding smears of paint it took on a whole new life. The same principle was applied to a die cut bobbin shape, and I also added a nail head, film strip a pen nib and even some beads into a couple of the frames. The words on the Tim Holtz Word Band seemed thoroughly appropriate to the theme of the canvas.

So that's where this month's fabulous theme took me. Now I urge you to hop on over to A Vintage Journey to see what my fellow Creative Guides have come up with - it's well worth the trip! Then it's over to you - the challenge will remain open for a month so there's plenty of time to get those creative juices flowing and link up your entries to be in with a chance to win. For now take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx